Digging drainage ditch through the woods

[EddieWalker]

On my land I've dug a few trenches through my trees with my backhoe to get more water to my ponds. Since I don't know your area, I can't comment on what to do there, but will share a few things that I learned on my land. First, clear the area that you are going to put the trench in enough to maintain it on both sides.

Next you need to figure out what to do with the dirt. On my first trench I just piled it up in between the trees. That was a mistake that I regret and I'm having to slowly deal with. Since then I learned to haul it to where I need it. Most of the time I can use it for a road, but just having a dirt pile to use for other things also comes in handy. The point is to put it where you can get to it, and where it's not an eye sore.

Digging the dirt is easy, making it so you can maintain it is where all the time and effort goes. If enough stuff grows in your ditch, it wont flow very well. Being able to mow it at least once a year is important. Making the sides of the ditch mow-able means removing a lot more material. I have a loader backhoe which works pretty good for this. I dig with the hoe, then haul it away with the front bucket one yard at a time. When it's all said and done, it looks fairly natural.

 

[eubie5]

On my land I've dug a few trenches through my trees with my backhoe to get more water to my ponds. Since I don't know your area, I can't comment on what to do there, but will share a few things that I learned on my land. First, clear the area that you are going to put the trench in enough to maintain it on both sides.

Next you need to figure out what to do with the dirt. On my first trench I just piled it up in between the trees. That was a mistake that I regret and I'm having to slowly deal with. Since then I learned to haul it to where I need it. Most of the time I can use it for a road, but just having a dirt pile to use for other things also comes in handy. The point is to put it where you can get to it, and where it's not an eye sore.

Digging the dirt is easy, making it so you can maintain it is where all the time and effort goes. If enough stuff grows in your ditch, it wont flow very well. Being able to mow it at least once a year is important. Making the sides of the ditch mow-able means removing a lot more material. I have a loader backhoe which works pretty good for this. I dig with the hoe, then haul it away with the front bucket one yard at a time. When it's all said and done, it looks fairly natural.

Since the entire property is on a slope, i was thinking using the dirt on the downslope side of the ditch to build a berm up between ditch and my yard. Not a huge berm, but still a berm. What you're describing sounds great and would love to see some pics of what you're talking about.
But, since i don't have any equipment like that myself, would cost a fortune to contract all that to someone else.
Sounds like you used your own equipment, and did just a little at a time.

Still would like some pics of what you're talking about. My woods are pretty thick. Would almost need a small dozier to come in and clear a path to make a ditch wide enough to mow. And it's all completely shaded, probably couldn't get grass to grow anyways.